All site categories

Spigen GLAStR SLIM Tempered Glass for iPhone 5

Review Date: June, 27

iPhone 5

I have learned throughout my time with the iPhone 5 that protecting it is very important. It hurts a little inside when you damage the device. The constant reminder of cosmetic damage is saddening. There are many different ways to protect your device. You can use cases, plastic screen protectors, and even tempered glass screen protectors. In my experience plastic screen protectors can be a hit or miss as some contain bubbles, reduce the quality of screen resolution, and them do not last long as scratches accumulate quickly. So I was introduced to tempered glass as a screen protector and couldn’t help but laugh at the idea of using glass to protect your glass. However, I was quite surprised with my experience with Spigen’s GLAStR SLIM a tempered glass screen protector.

Spigen offers a series of tempered glass screen protectors that vary in thickness, surface hardness, design, and coating finish. The Spigen’s GLAStR SLIM has a glass thickness of 0.4mm and a surface hardness of 8~9H. At that hardness it is said that objects like knives and keys will not scratch the GLSAtR SLIM. The design of the tempered glass consists of rounded borders, smooth silicone like finish, and has a tapered home button cutout that makes it easy to find the home button even with the additional thickness. All of Spigen’s tempered glass screen protectors are finished with a coat of oleophobic which is used to create a resistance layer against smudges and fingerprints.

Applying this tempered glass screen protector takes patience as all screen protectors do. I took me a good three tries before getting it right. Spigen cautions us that removing the glass for re-use may affect the glass’s adhesive causing it no to adhere correctly. Among the first application you should not have any issues removing the glass if it is not correctly done. Just don’t expect a perfect experience if you decide to remove the glass and place it on another device. I had zero issues with bubbles forming, instead they simply slide away once the glass fully adhered to the screen.

GLAStR is said to be “whole transparency” which means it has been chemically treated and processed to have a true transparent finish. In my experience this is by far the best screen protector I have ever used. The clarity is just amazing as everything looks perfect. The touch sensitivity is not affect so it feels natural like it does without a screen protector.

The thickness is not a cause for concern. The only major change is the home button as it will not feel as natural to access as before. It is still easy to get to but just doesn’t feel the same. To avoid the “ditch” you can use one of the “jelly bean” home buttons that comes in the packaging. These jelly beans mimic the home button so when you stick them on them make the home button rise eliminating the thickness issue.

This has been a great experience and I will never laugh at the idea of using glass to protect glass. This screen protector is so good that I will never use a plastic screen protect every again. The clarity is just amazing and the glass better suit to protect than plastic. This is an item that follows the whole “you pay for what you get.” Spigen’s GLAStR SLIM retails for $34.99 through Spigen.com and Amazon. At that price you can get a box full of plastic screen protectors but why go through the hassle when you can invest in one product that is vastly superior in every way.